NOT FOR PUBLICATION UNTIL RELEASED BY THE
HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE
SUBCOMMITTEE ON TACTICAL AIR AND LAND FORCES
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
PRESENTATION TO THE HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE
SUBCOMMITTEE ON TACTICAL AIR AND LAND FORCES
UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ROTORCRAFT HEARING
STATEMENT OF: MAJOR GENERAL STANLEY GORENC
DIRECTOR, OPERATIONAL CAPABILITY REQUIREMENTS
DCS, AIR, SPACE & INFORMATION
OPERATIONS, PLANS & REQUIREMENTS
MARCH 9, 2006
NOT FOR PUBLICATION UNTIL RELEASED BY
HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE
SUBCOMMITTEE ON TACTICAL AIR AND LAND FORCES
Introduction
Thank you for the opportunity to discuss Air Force future helicopter requirements,
current rotary wing fleet health, and future investments with you and your subcommittee
today. This topic is particularly important to the Air Force as we move forward with our
recapitalization plans. I am proud to say the United States Air Force has a long and
successful history with its rotary wing fleet, conducting Combat Search and Rescue
(CSAR), Special Operations, and critical missions for Homeland Security -- such as vital
infrastructure protection, continuity of government and support to the National Search
and Rescue Plan. USAF helicopter forces, assigned to both the Special Operations and
CSAR mission areas, have proven their value time and time again. They have served
with distinction in ongoing Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and Operation IRAQI
FREEDOM combat operations, Hurricane Katrina rescue efforts, and in other relief
operations such as in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in the Philippines.
USAF SOF helicopter assets are a critical part of the United States Special
Operations Command’s joint combat capability. These assets form part of the Air
Force’s specialized air power team which works hand-in-hand in a complex and
integrated role with their Army Green Beret and Navy SEAL counterparts to take the
fight to the enemy through infiltration, exfiltration, and re-supply missions in denied
areas. These assets remain highly engaged and utilized and are critical in the ongoing
Global War on Terror (GWOT).
While all services have the capability to recover their own personnel, USAF
CSAR forces currently maintain the only dedicated all weather non-permissive rescue
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capability on 24/7 alert. This unique war and peacetime capability place them in high
demand and keep them continuously employed on a global basis.
In addition to our OIF, OEF, and other global commitments, USAF helicopter
forces also distinguished themselves in a Homeland Security role supporting Hurricane
Katrina and Rita rescue and relief operations. In response to these critical disaster
operations, the USAF was able to quickly deploy and immediately begin rescue and
relief operations under the command of our 347th Rescue Wing. Thirty-eight USAF
helicopters and aircrews from across the spectrum of USAF mission areas were rapidly
pressed into service in rescue and relief operations including five MH-53s from Hurlburt
Field, 10 UH-1Ns from Malmstrom, Minot, and Vandenburg, and Eglin AFB, and 23
Active, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Combat Search and Rescue HH-60
assets from Moody, Patrick, Nellis, Gabreski and Davis-Monthan AFBs.
These USAF helicopters were key in providing the vast majority of the 5,544
“lives saved” credited to USAF forces. These efforts highlight the capability and
responsiveness of USAF rotary wing forces and the quality and dedication of the USAF
aircrew, maintenance, and support personnel.
Future Air Force Helicopter requirements
Currently, the CSAR-X is the only future Air Force helicopter program of record. CSARX, a new USAF acquisition program, will replace the aging HH-60G helicopters with 141
new medium-lift aircraft. The primary mission of the CSAR-X is Combat Search and
Rescue.
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Thirty-one Air Force Special Operations MH-53s are currently scheduled to
phase out and be retired. The Air Force will divest this asset and acquire the CV-22, a
tilt-rotor aircraft that will provide new GWOT capability to SOCOM. The CV-22 is an
advanced platform that will insert SOF forces at longer distances and at greatly
increased speeds. It will use Terrain Following Radar along with advanced defensive
radar and infrared countermeasures. It enables SOF personnel to perform very longrange SOF missions in “one period of darkness.”
The UH-1N’s primary mission includes maintaining non-stop alert for nuclear
missile field security and for peace and wartime support of the National Capital Region.
As noted earlier, it also played a critical role supporting hurricane relief efforts. The
UH-1Ns have an average age of 36 years and have shortfalls in speed, range,
passenger capacity, all-weather capability, and defensive systems. These shortfalls
necessitate that we look toward replacing these aging assets. The Air Force is currently
conducting an Analysis of Alternatives to determine the most cost effective way ahead
to continue to fill this critical capability requirement in the future.
Current health/condition of the helicopter fleet
The current inventory of helicopters, including 101 HH-60s, 31 MH-53s, and 62 UH-1Ns,
are critical to the success of CSAR, Special Operations, and Homeland Security
missions. However, extensive taskings are resulting in high usage and stress of the
entire rotary wing fleet with availability rates suffering. As an example, in the first
quarter FY06, the HH-60 fleet had an availability rate of 57% while the MH-53s were at
54%. These rates were similar in FY05 and were in part driven by our increased
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operations in very demanding environments. The UH-1Ns operated at an availability
rate of 70% in FY05 and have continued at the same rate in the first quarter FY06.
Despite the slightly higher availability rate, the UH-1N’s inherent shortfalls in meeting
operational requirements in many of its mission areas is a continuing challenge.
Overall, the aging helicopter fleet suffers from high usage and shortfalls in capabilities-resulting in increased operational risk to the warfighter.
Future investments in the helicopter fleet
CSAR-X is the planned replacement vehicle for the USAF fleet of HH-60G helicopters.
Total program investment will be approximately $10-12B. Although a Combat Rescue
Analysis of Alternatives completed in March 2005 recommended 170 medium lift
aircraft, the AF decided to accept moderate risk and proposes a fleet of 141 medium lift
aircraft to meet our CSAR needs. The acquisition strategy to achieve this is an
incremental development approach. The FY07 President’s Budget will support the
initial interim capable/Block 0 CSAR-X aircraft, which will be at Initial Operating
Capability (IOC) by 2012. The budget also adds $849.4M across the FYDP to get the
full mission capable/Block 10 CSAR-X to IOC by 2018.
The CV-22, a program of approximately $6B, will provide greatly increased
capability for Special Operations Forces. The CV-22 has performed successfully in
testing and is currently in full rate production. The procurement and investment for the
CV-22 provides full operational capability in FY17. SOCOM has requested that this
critical capability be fielded as soon as possible. To that end, should additional funds
become available, the Air Force has included the CV-22 as one of a number of aircraft
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in our unfunded priorities for FY07. This would provide the initial funds needed to
accelerate CV-22 full operational capability by as much as three years.
The Common Vertical Lift Support Platform (CVLSP) is a developing need that is
exploring options for recapitalization of our aging UH-1N fleet of 62 aircraft. The Air
Force is currently conducting an Analysis of Alternatives that will inform senior leaders
on the most cost effective way ahead, and could include various replacement options.
Conclusion
We continue to work diligently in meeting critical CSAR, Special Operations, and
Homeland Security needs for the future. The CSAR-X is a clear commitment to an Air
Force core mission. It will replace the aging “low density/high demand” HH-60 with
sufficient numbers of aircraft that have the capabilities required by the warfighter. Full
rate production of the CV-22 is a crucial first step to increasing Special Operations
capability in the ongoing GWOT. Finally, the Air Force recognizes the capability gap
presented by our aging UH-1Ns and will continue to aggressively analyze solutions for
recapitalization. For America to hold its military advantage, the Air Force must continue
to maintain and improve its CSAR, Special Operations, and Homeland Security
capabilities. As always, we appreciate your support in turning this critical need into an
operational reality.
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